Yazmin Pinchen

Yazmin Pinchen is certainly a name to watch. Born in 1993, she was two years old when her parents bought her first pony. At 14, she was selected to jump at the Children on Horses European Championships in Turkey, where she won team gold and individual silver. Yazmin continued to represent Great Britain until she was 19 when she got the chance to jump on the 5* Longines Global Champions Tour.

(c) Noelle Floyd

We caught up with Yazmin after her fantastic first ever Grand Prix win at Bolesworth International last weekend. Despite being the youngest rider among a 49-strong field, Pinchen displayed impressive composure as last to go in a four horse jump-off alongside Trevor Breen, John Whitaker and Keith Shore. 

(c) Bolesworth International

This week Yazmin headed abroad for the Monaco leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour, where in her first class she came 11th on Van de Vivaldi in the CSI5* 1.45m.

Last weekend was the biggest win of your career. Has it sunk in yet?

I am still so overwhelmed and no it hasn’t sunk in! It was such a great feeling and everything has been so busy ever since. I can’t wait to get to Monaco and celebrate with my whole family.

Tell us about your horses.

My three main horses for the big shows are Van de Vivaldi, Ashkari, who we bred ourselves and Bandito. We bought Bandito when he was three years old and produced him and we bought Van de Vivaldi when he was seven years old and have slowly got him going. I am very lucky to have such a strong string of horses. We have a few really nice young ones as well, which we are excited about.

(c) Chloe Bowman

The Global Champions Tour is very glamorous. What do you wear?

I love all the GCT shows, Monte Carlo is so glamorous and fun. They put on great events such as cocktail parties and champagne receptions each evening. In the day, we have free time to sunbathe and see the town. When we are riding each evening, I wear my lovely Cavalleria Toscana kit. After I’ve finished riding I go back to the hotel and change into a dress and heels and socialise with friends. It is so nice to wear a dress at a horse show, its not the usual attire so it’s fun to get the chance to dress up every now and then. 

What or who inspires you within the equestrian world?  

My inspirations in the equestrian world would have to be the top riders that are winning grand prixs and who compete at the Olympics. I really look up to Penelope Leprevost. Her style, her natural talent and her passion is motivational for a young rider like myself.

Bertram Allen has proven to us younger riders that you can do it if you push yourself. He has come from ponies to being number four in the world at the age of nineteen. It’s seriously incredible and that to me is inspirational.

Do you have a favourite equestrian possession?

Definitely my Parlanti riding boots. They are so comfy and I don’t taken them off all day. It makes a huge difference to be comfortable and not have to think about sore feet!

(c) Bolesworth International

Is there an all time favourite yard/stables that you’ve been too? And why?

I was based in Belgium for a year and rented some stables along with some other riders. It was a private yard and was so modern and beautiful. The people were great too, which is always a bonus!

Do you have a favourite event?

My favourite event is going to have to be Bolesworth now isn’t it?!! I will remember it forever.

If you weren’t showjumping, what would you be doing?

I am not entirely sure! I love cooking but I am definitely not good enough to be a chef! I would most likely be finishing up at uni and worrying what I was going to do with myself.

What is the quality that you most like in a horse?

For me, it is important to know how scopey it is and if it is friendly. If a horse is angry I think its a bad sign!

Tell us something about yourself that only you know?

That’s hard! Does wishing I could participate in Masterchef count?!! 

Do you have a secret superstition before an event?

I am not really superstitious but I always kiss my horse on the neck before we enter the arena if that counts! It worked last weekend anyway!

What advice would you give younger riders on the circuit?

My advice to younger riders wanting to be at the top is to carry on! Don’t let anything get in your way, take advice from the top and keep learning. Even the top riders make mistakes and learn from them even to this day so you are not alone if you are making silly mistakes now and then. And enjoy it!!

(c) Noelle Floyd

How do you unwind/relax?

To relax I watch TV on the sofa with a hot chocolate and an enormous amount of Masterchef! If I am lucky I will go have a spa day with the girls or go shopping. I love seeing my friends and family and chilling out. If I get stressed out before a round I tend to just eat loads of food and it helps.

What do you not leave home without? 

I will never go to a show without Lynsey! Lynsey is my show groom and she is insane at what she does, she looks after the horses so well and even me!! She knows me so well she often tells me to get a grip before I go in the ring if I’m starting to panic. We couldn’t have a successful show without Lynsey.

What would be your perfect weekend?

My perfect weekend would be somewhere hot where I can sunbathe and drink chocolate Oreo milkshakes. I am such a child, I love milkshakes and hot chocolate! They are my creature comforts. 

(c) Noelle FLoyd

What are your top 5 indispensable pieces of kit, for you or your horse?

My Selleria Pariani Pro Grip saddle

My Parlanti riding boots

My Kep Italia hat because not only is it super safe they are so stylish.

Dodson & Horrell Build and Glow pellets work wonders with the horses

And finally my Cavalleria Toscana gloves.

Follow Yazmin on Twitter @YazShowJumper and visit www.yazminpinchen.co.uk to keep up to date with all Yazmin’s news plus watch the live stream from the Monaco leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour here

We are very grateful to Noelle Floyd, Chloe Bowman and Bolesworth International for the use of their photographs

www.noellefloyd.com

www.chloebowman.co.uk

www.bolesworthinternational.com